Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1887-07-07
The NEW CONSTITUTION.
It Is Adopted by the Knights of
Labor-The Important
Provisions.
Full Powers Given to the Executive
Board in All Matters Relating
TO Striker.
philadelphia telegram. I

lfnllhdelphia telegram.l
by returns made TO the general head
quarters of the Knights OF Labor the new
constitution of the order, embodying many
important changes, has been adopted by
about three -fourths vote. A clause pro-
viding for the formation of national trades
assemblies, sent out separately from the
constitution, and voted upon by the local
assemblies throughout the order, has also
been adopted by nearly the same vote. The
new constitution will be promulgated by
the General Executive Board in a very few
days, and will 90 into effect Immediately
after its PRONUNCIATION. An analysis shows
that nearly half of the local assemblies
that opposed the adoption of the new con-
st1tution did so on account of section 325,
which reads:
No local, or other assembly, or member,
shall directly or indirectly give, sell, or
have any ale, beer, or Intoxicating liquors
of any kind, at any meeting, party, socia-
BILE, ball, picnic or entertainment what
ever, appertaining to the order. Any mem
Der found guilty of violating this law shall
be suspended not less than six months, or
expelled. No fine shall be imposed for
this offense. Any local or other assembly
so offending shall be suspended during the
pleasure of the General Executive Board,
or shall have its charter revoked by said
board.
Nearly every assembly composed solely
OF Germans voted against this clause, and
therefore, against the whole.
The article upon cooperation was
adopted unanimously. 1t is quite lengthy,
and provides for the creation and disburse-
ment of fund to aid CO operation enter
Priscs. Eacn local assembly is required TO
cents per month for every member in good
standing. The money is to be invested by
the cooperative board, and profits are TO
be divided equally between the general
assembly, the cooperative fund, and the
workmen who create the profit.
The new constitution gives the General
Executive Board full power TO settle all
strikes and disputes, whether sanctioned
by the board or not, and it increases the
powers of the General Board in many
other particulars.
Hereafter each district, State. national,
or unattached local assembly shall be en-
titled to one delegate to each 5000 mem
bers or majority fraction thereof. The
term of office, over which there has been SO
much controversy, has been fixed at two
years. The compensation hereafter will
be fixed by the General Assembly when the
officer is elected.
The national trade assemblies clause is
probably the most important of the changes.
1t provides that "Any particular trade or
calling may form national trade assem-
bly, by giving at least three months notice
TO each local assembly-the entire MEM
bership of which is composed of such
trades to attend convention for the pur-
pose of forming national trade assembly.
At least two-thirds of the local assem-
blics must vote in favor of the trade assem-
bly,, and not less than ten assemblies, If
4 Al 4 l. N.
ceive q charter.
Section 3 of the article is not very strong,
however, as it still leaves the matter in the
bands of the General Executive Board,
which, if the law has been complied with,
may instruct the General Secretary to is
sue charter.
Votes will be received until July Is and
recorded, although the new constitution
will be in effect some time before that